Write a sentence explaining why windows is so popular

February 16, 2011
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Why Windows is so popular?

In earlier days, MS-DOS was used as default operating system for IBM-PCs. The personal computers made by IBM were provided with de facto MS-DOS both for business as well as home use. Later, IBM has taken steps to leave the business related to personal computers. They were involved much in manufacturing and operating IBM-compatible PCs. The IBM compatible PCs became standard in the market. IBM in business and home PC used to have their software to run for long time and they wanted to have one new OS. Hence, they thought that investment on MS Windows would be a good decision. The manufacturers of PC from then onwards started to pre-install the newer version of MS Windows in every PC that was sold. This tradition is followed even today.

The latest version called windows vista was sold at low percentage (39%) compared to all PCs that were sold. Another major version of MS Windows called Windows XP was installed in the PCs and sold at about 89% of all the PCs that were sold. Windows was the most preferable operating system and the choice operating system used for the personal computers in 80s. Windows has provided an accessory benefit for marketing on behalf of Microsoft. Microsoft could also gain popularity in the case of creating office tools and mingling it with Windows which enhanced the popularity of the Windows.

The popularity of Windows was done by Microsoft not only at the end-user point of view, but also in the side of developer. The developers were stimulated to write software programs compatible with Windows than other operating systems. Popularity also was achieved by the vendors of hardware who installed windows in the PCs before they were sold. The aggressive marketing and the strategies of Microsoft played an important role in making this operating system so popular. Windows is so popular due to its easy way of handling the operating system and it is user friendly. Creating the folders or deleting them can be done very effectively in windows even by a person who is new to the OS. It does not have to be dealt through command prompt and every activity can be done through mouse interface. Hence, Windows is very popular.

Author: Hari M

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The market offers a wide range of operating systems. Windows, Mac, and Linux are some of the most popular operating systems. Before diving in, learn about the popularity of these operating systems. Let’s take a quick look at this operating system.👊👊👊

Windows OS

Since the mid-1980s, Microsoft has been developing a series of operating systems known as Windows. It comes in a variety of forms. It is a proprietary graphical operating system that only the company can modify. It has dominated the desktop market since 1995.

According to Statcounter of Oct. 2021, Windows 10 is the most popular windows OS with about 75.18% market share in Desktop Operating System Worldwide. It has a wealth of tools and features etc.

The fact that most general-purpose PCs come with Windows OS pre-installed is one of the reasons why they are the most popular.

macOS

Apple’s macOS (formerly OS X) operating system is a series of operating systems. The majority of Macintosh computers come with macOS preinstalled. It is not as popular as Windows, and one of the reasons for this is that the Mac is more expensive.

It is marketed by Apple Inc, since 2001 AD.

Linux

Linux is a collection of open-source, free operating systems that can be modified and distributed by anyone anywhere in the world. It is a highly customizable operating system. It is primarily used in server farms.

It was created by Linus Torvald and it was first released in 1991 AD.

Why are windows Os is popular over other available Operating systems like Linux and Mac?

In this article, I want to talk about why windows Os is popular than other available Operating systems like Linux and Mac in the desktop environment.

Why Windows OS is Popular ?

Some of the reasons are as follows:

1 Windows Emerged Historical with GUI Support

Despite the fact that GUI support was not initially developed for Windows OS. However, when Microsoft included a graphical user interface (GUI) in its operating system, its popularity skyrocketed. This increases Windows users because it allows them to work without having to worry about commands. And other operating systems are struggling to provide GUI support as quickly as Microsoft did. As a result, it was widely adopted at the time.

Windows has had a large market share in operating systems since its inception, with Windows 3.11 having a market share of more than 90% in 1994 AD.

Also in current time has the highest market share in desktop OS(source).

OS	Market Share in %
Windows	75.18
Mac OS	15.89
Linux	2.15
Chrome OS	2.54
Unknown	4.23

It has a near-monopoly on desktop and laptop in the computer market.

2 User-Friendly OS

No other operating system is as simple to use as Microsoft Windows. Nobody wants to type a bunch of commands to do something that can be done with a few mouse clicks. As a result, the user interface of Windows is superior to that of other open-source operating systems. Windows is designed in such a way that anyone can learn how to use it.

Windows allows people to do a lot of things without much difficulty most of the time. If we use Windows, Linux, or Mac, we find that they are not user-friendly.

3 Largely Adopted Software

People are already using MS OFFICE and Adobe products and games that only work on Windows. As a result, the next time a user tries to use MAC or Linux, they are disappointed by the lack of such features, and they return to Windows. In most cases, this occurs.

Linux may not have applications to be used or used by the consumer.

4 Grew Up with Windows

Most people grew up using Windows OS on their PCs and are comfortable with it.

5 Productivity

The majority of businesses use Windows OS to carry out their daily operations. Making reports, PowerPoint presentations, and graphics with Windows software is simpler. And software such as Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft PowerPoint, Adobe products, and many others assist them. This software alternative is available in both MAC and Linux, but it lacks many of the features found in Windows software.

Linux has LibreOffice but is not much popular as ms word.
Linux has a gimp as an alternative to photoshop both not as good as photoshop.

In my view, this software is just a polished version of windows’ popular software.

6 Large Microsoft Official Support Base

If you used a paid commercial version of Windows, Microsoft will provide you with a lot of active support. Also, large corporations do not want to waste time troubleshooting issues; instead, they contact Microsoft for assistance, and they are available at all times to assist businesses; thus, large corporations use Windows as well.

For paid users, Windows has better support for both current and legacy Windows.

7 Preinstalled OS

When you go to the market to buy a laptop or desktop, they will tell you that the Windows operating system is preinstalled and genuine. Preinstalled Windows denotes that the operating system has been fully installed, licensed, and activated with Microsoft. As a result, in the majority of cases, Windows 10 will come preinstalled on the new system.

Windows OS marketing and advertising are at an all-time high.

8 Driver and Peripherical Compatibility

Windows has better driver support from manufacturers than Linux and MAC. Furthermore, some vendors do not develop a driver for Linux, and when an open community does develop a driver, it may not be properly compatible.

So, in desktop and laptop environments, Windows gets any new drivers first, then macOS and then Linux.

Eg. Sometimes laptop and desktop wifi did work with Linux because the manufacturer may not have created it for Linux. This happens once in my case.

Even today Linux is not very successful at supporting devices such as printers and scanners.

9 Windows largely used in school and training institution

Windows OS is used in many schools and training institutes, so if anyone wants to learn anything, they will be taught in Windows OS. In order to obtain a Linux expert or a Mac expert, they must pay a high salary to the instructor; therefore, they use Windows OS, which is familiar to almost everyone.

10 Large Windows Software Developer

Most developers develop software for windows making windows user life much much easier.

12 Pirated Windows is Available Everywhere 

You may get pirated windows OS on the internet and can be installed on any computer system easily. However, OSX can only be installed on the MAC system, and have to pay for it.

13 Large Windows Geeks and Enthusiast Support

Because a large number of people use Windows, the problem can be resolved quickly and easily. There are also numerous articles written by tech geeky to solve the problem for Windows.

14 Games

Also, Windows is the best for gamers as well. And has lots and lots of amazing games for Windows OS support.

15 Windows 10 Update

Windows 10 Updates are automatic, once set in automatic mode. You do not need external third-party driver updating software
as windows have built-in for it. Windows generally apply a large number of updates at one go but Linux updates come frequently because they provide updates as soon as it is available.

For learning emerging technology in the data center. click here.

16 Windows 11 Release

With the release of the Windows 11 operating system, the popularity of the Windows operating system has already skyrocketed. Windows 11 has made significant improvements to its graphical user interface, and it now has the same look and feel as macOS. Another important feature that Windows 11 supports is the ability to run Android applications, as well as the integration of Microsoft Teams.

17 Large number of OEM vendors

Every company wants to make a profit. OEM distributors purchase Windows OS in bulk at a low cost, benefiting both Microsoft and OEM distributors, and will target large groups of users through wholesalers and retailers.

18 Vacancy

Most businesses use the Windows operating system, which necessitates the hiring of personnel to run the business. So, there are a lot of job openings, and it is written in the requirements that applicants should know how to use Office Packages and soon.

19 Installation

OSX cannot be installed in every system and only support for Mac System. Noobie finds it difficult installing Linux OS and in the early days there is no GUI support for installation. For many years windows have the same steps for installation in every version of windows which makes it easier to install every version of windows even by noobie guys.

Finally,

Neither I am in support of any of these OS, each has helped in solving people’s tasks in various ways. If you find any of these points irrelevant then please feel free to comment below👇👇👇.

Similar Article:

I’ve used Windows 8, 8.1, and 10, and they’re good OS’s in their own rights. I have a Surface 3, which runs Windows 10, and I have an old laptop running Windows 8.1, which used to run Windows 8, but let’s not talk about Windows 8 just yet. So far to date, every new Windows version that comes tries to copy Windows 7, but by adding weird and hip turns and twists into the mix, like an M Night Shyamalan film. Windows 8 had the Metro UI, which was altered in Windows 8.1, and altogether removed in Windows 10. Windows 10 works like Windows 7, but with many extra features thrown in that most people will probably never use, such as multiple desktops and Cortana, but it’s nice to have just in case.

So let’s go over some history on Windows 7, to set some back story to this worldwide fascination. By July of 2012, Windows 7 had an estimated 650 million installs worldwide. It broke records for Amazon pre-sale orders, surpassing even that of Harry Potter books. It’s still to date Microsoft’s fastest selling Operation System, having sold over 100 million in just 2 weeks.

Public Opinion

If the numbers didn’t already speak for themselves, with the massive market share percentage of 55%, usually Amazon reviews do a decent job of telling it how it is.

There’s just something about Windows 7 that people love. Reading the reviews, most people are just happy to hear that the OS just works, especially after the disaster that was Windows Vista.

Best Features

After Windows Vista came out, I was ready to give on Windows and start a new life with a typewriter. But Microsoft heard the complaints and gifted everyone with Windows 7. Some of my favorite Windows features started with 7 and continue on to this day, such as pinning items to the taskbar, the glorious Start button that houses many a thing, Windows snap, which easily snaps windows onto several different quadrants. All of these features are still active today in the latest releases.

Software Compatibility

Due to its large market share, you can better believe that software vendors are going to make sure that their products run on Windows 7. And this is going to be true for a while. While Microsoft is slowly trying to phase people away from Windows 7, software is keeping right in line with it.

It’s Fast

Alot of work was done to Windows 7 to get it to be a lean machine. The minimum hardware requirements are laughable by today’s standards. But that’s a great thing, because it means that with the natural progression of hardware you’ll get a faster and faster machine. Improvements were made to boot times and multi-core processors got a bump in performance as well. With an SSD installed, I can boot up Windows in roughly 2 seconds.

It Has All My Stuff

So personally for me, 6 years of work and applications and setup and configuration are hard to transfer over to a new operating system. I just know that many many things won’t work anymore. And that makes me feel a bit uneasy, as I’m having no problems with Windows 7, so there’s very little need to upgrade. Even after Microsoft stops supporting Window 7, I’ll probably still be using it. And I think this is true for most people today using Windows 7. It just works. There’s no reason to upgrade and to learn an entirely new layout and menu scheme.

It Just Works

Windows 7 has not let me down so far. It boots up at a reasonable time, it shuts down in a reasonable time, most things are within 3 clicks reach and it doesn’t blue screen usually. Those are the main requirements I have when looking at an OS.

There’s two reasons why Windows 7 will be around for a good long while. The first being that it’s successor was terrible. Windows 8 made you wish you knew how to revert back to Windows 7. Many of those who hadn’t made the switch read the complaints and stuck around for a bit longer, like I myself did. I tried 8 on an older laptop, and said no thanks. Then 8.1 came out, and it was pretty good. But, still not enough for me to change my mind about the whole thing. Then Windows 10 came out. And I’ll say this, I really like Windows 10. I use it at work, I use it on my Surface 3, but when I got that notification telling me it was time:

I just couldn’t bring myself to do it. I said thanks Microsoft, but not thanks. Windows 7 has been with me for the past 6 years day in and day out, and to delete it, just like that, with a single button click would be a travesty. So if you still have Windows 7 running on your machine, then kudos to you. I hope it’s been as helpful to you as its been to me and that it continues to do so until 2020 when it is left behind to fend for itself.

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movies. The built-in stereo speakers allow you to listen along,

or
if you want to listen alone, just plug in a pair of (3)

This
portable machine provides (4)

so
you can play DVD Audio/Video, CD-R/RW, DVD-RAM, DivX and MP3 files.
Its compact design features a built-in rechargeable 6 hour battery
pack.

Panasonic
portable DVD player

The
DVD-LS91 allows 6 hours of playback, and provides a perfect way to
entertain yourself and your kids during long trips

You
and comparers

«1
forgot to nuke a backup copy of my brain. $t,
everything
I learned List semester was lost.
«

Which
device or format would be most suitable for storing these things?

1. the
   operating system and the programs on a home computer

2. an
   electronic encyclopedia for children

3. a
   movie in digital format

4. the
   music tracks by your favourite artist

5. all
   the files generated by a company in one day

6. the
   photos taken with a digital camera

■шHealth and safety

Computer
ergonomics

There
are a number of health and safety problems that may result from
continuous use of

computers.

• Typing
  constantly at high speed may provoke repetitive strain injury’ or
  RSI, which causes pain in the neck, arms, wrists, hands and
  fingers.

• Bad
  work postures and sitting in uncomfortable chairs may cause
  backache and stress.

• Looking
  at rhe screen for long periods of time, and lights reflecting off
  the screen, can cause headaches and eye strain, pain and fatigue of
  the eyes.

• Cathode
  Ray Tube monitors can emit electromagnetic radiation which can be
  dangerous to health.

The
study of how people interact safely and efficiently with machines
and their work

conditions
is called ergonomics. In computing, ergonomics is about designing
computer

facilities
so they are safe and comfortable. Here are a few tips.

1. Get
   an adjustable chair so you can change its height and angle.

   

   An
   ergonomic keyboard helps you type in a more natural, relaxed
   position

2. Make
   sure your feet rest firmly on the ground or on a foot rest.

3. Ensure
   you have enough leg room under the desk.

4. Put
   the monitor at eye level or just below.

5. Sit
   at arms’ length from the monitor (40-80 cm). Don’t sit near the
   sides or back of CRT monitors; or use LCD screens, which are free
   from radiation.

6. Use
   a document holder, in line with the screen, to reduce awkward neck
   and eye movements between the document and the screen.

7. Position
   the keyboard at the same height as your elbows, with your arms
   parallel to the work surface. Try to keep your wrists straight and
   flat when typing.

8. Take
   regular breaks from the computer and look away from the screen at
   regular intervals

Electronic
rubbish

Irresponsible
disposal of electronic waste, from old computers and mobile phones
to hi-fi and video systems, can cause severe environmental and
public health problems. For example, children or workers who come
into contact with the toxic components of electronic products may
suffer from skin and breathing problems.

• We
  should recyclc or treat ICT equipment (e.g. plastics from mobiles
  could be used to make pens and rulers).

■I
Manufacturers should pay to finance recycling programs.

We
should reduce, ^reuse
and recycle e-waste

The
risks of using mobiles and in-car computers

Frequent
use of mobile phones has been the cause of concern and there is
ongoing research into whether radiation emitted causes health
problems.

A
serious risk is the use of mobiles and navigation systems in cars;
this can distract the driver and cause accidents.

• Don’t
  use your mobile while driving.

Another
health problem is Internet addiction, including obsessive game
playing, gambling, etc.

• If
  you are an Internet addict, you Talking
  on a mobile phone when should
  ask for help from specialists.driving
  is illegal in most countries

in
the checklist.

Tips
for
<i user-friendly
workstation

0.1
Match rhe numbers in the picture to the correct tips

a
Consistent chair support for the lower back. Seat height and angle
adjustable, b Feet flat on the floor, e Document holder beside the
screen, ar rhe same height and distance as the screen.

d
Text on the scrccn in line with the eyes.

Viewing
distance at arm’s length, e Thighs horizontal, with feet on the
floor.

Adequate
room for legs beneath rhe desk, f Keyboard height at a comfortable
open angle for the elbows and arms, g Wrists and hands in a neutral
position, in line with the forearms. Optional rest for wrists at the
same height as the keyboard.

1. 0.2
   Complete the sentences with words from the opposite page.

1. Experts
   believe the best way to reduce musculoskeletal injuries is through

—
designing jobs to fit people instead of making people fit the job.
It can mean everything from adjusting rhe height of a desk to buying
a new chair or overhauling a production line.

1. The
   Safetype ergonomic keyboard may look strange, but its makers claim
   that it can prevent or RSI.

2. Visual
   problems, such as and irritation, are often reported

bv
computer users. Causes of these problems include glare, poor
lighting, and focusing the eyes on the screen for a prolonged
period.

1. Some
   companies have begun ro test ways to and dispose of

For
example, Epson Portland sponsored an electronics collection day

this
year on Earth Day.

1. Road
   safety campaigners say motorists using while driving are six times

more
likely to crash.

S When
a person is spending so much time on rhe Internet rhar their lives
are affected negatively, they are suffering from

Уou
and
corup&’fe.rs

Imagine
you are designing an ICT classroom with 16 networked PCs, Internet
access and peripherals. What safety precautions should be taken into
account? Use these notes to help you write four tips or suggestions.

1. Room
   conditions (space, desks, chairs, lights and windows)

2. Ergonomic
   devices

3. Electrical
   safety: layout of cables and connectors, hotspots for a wireless
   network, etc.

4. Noticeboards
   and posters with health and safety recommendations

Operating
systems and the GUI

Types
of software; the operating system (OS)

11

1. System
   software controls the basic functions of a computer, e.g. operating
   systems, programming software and utility programs.

2. Application
   software lets you do specific jobs such as writing letters, doing
   calculations, drawing or playing games. Examples are a word
   processor or a graphics package.

An
operating system is a set of programs that control the hardware and
allow people and applications to communicate with the hardware.
Typical Tlx,
the Linux mascot functions
of the OS are handling input/output operations, running programs and
organizing files on disks. The OS also gives access to networks and
allows multitasking: a user can run several programs (and do various
tasks) at a time. Examples arc:

Шthe Windows family — designed by Microsoft and used oil most PCs

• Mac
  OS — created by Apple and used on Macintosh computers

• Unix
  — found on mainframes and workstations in corporate installations,
  as it supports multi-users

• Linux
  — developed under the GNU General Public License; anyone can copy
  its source code, modify and redistribute it. It is used on PC’s and
  in appliances and small devices.

В

/

When
you run a program, your PC opens a window Thar lets you work with
different tools and menus.

4

desktop

The
Graphical User Interface

A
GUI makes use of a WIMP environment: Windows, Icons, Menus and
Pointer. This type of interface is user-friendly, where system
functions are accessed by- selecting self-explanatory icons
(pictures representing programs or documents) and items from menus.
A drop-down menu, or pull-down menu, is a list of options that
appear below a menu bar when you click on an item.

The
pointer is the arrow, controlled by the mouse, which lets you choose
options from menus.

The
background screen that

displays
icons, representing taskba^

programs,
files and folders

(directories)
is tailed rhe desktop.

Double-clicking
a folder icon

opens
a window which shows the

programs,
documents and other folders contained

The
Windows environmen: is a typical example of a GUI within
the folder.

System
utilities

These
are small programs included with an OS that improve a system’s
performance. They can be desk accessories, device drivers, or system
extensions activated when you turn on the PC.

■I A
crashed disk rescuer is used to restore disks and corrupted files.

• An
  accessibility program makes a PC easier for disabled users to use.

• A
  compression utility rewrites data so that it takes less space on
  disk.

• A
  media player lets you watch DVDs, play music and listen to the
  radio on the Web.

1. Read
   A and Вopposite and find rhe following.

1. rhe
   difference between system software and application software

2. software
   that enables users and programs to communicate with hardware

3. the
   meaning of ‘multitasking’

4. a
   multi-user OS
   used
   on large, powerful computer systems

5. rhe
   operating system that is freely distributed

6. the
   operating system designed by Apple

7. rhe
   OS creatcd by Microsoft

8. rhe
   meaning of WIMP in a graphical user interface (GUI)

9. the
   expression used to describe a system that is easy to use

1. Look
   at Вopposite and chen identify these
   interface elements.

desktop	window	drop-down menu
pointer	folder	program icon
document icon

Apple
Macintosh programs use a graphical user intaface

l

2

3

1. Look
   at С
   opposite.
   Which utility would

you
use to do these tasks?

“Susan!…
Are
you trying to tell me we have ii)i interface problems'»

1. to
   play and organize multimedia on your PC

2. ro
   diagnose and repair damaged disks

3. to
   help computer users with sight, hearing or mobility difficulties

4. ro
   make files smaller, so you can send them with emails

   

   1
   Write a sentence explaining why Windows is so popular.

1. Look
   at the Internet and find two operating systems designed for
   hand-held devices such as PDAs, palmtops and Blackberries.

Word
processing features

Insert
hyperlink

Typeface

-Toolbar

Undo
reverse action

Display
graphics tools Г?

Alignment

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Word
processing

A
word processor enables you to create a document, store it
electronically on a disk, display it on a screen, modify it by
entering commands and characters from the keyboard, and print it on
a printer.

The
great advantage of word processing over using a

typewriter
is that you can make changes without retyping the entire documcnr.
If you make a typing mistake, you simply back up the cursor and
correct your mistake. 11
you want to delete a paragraph, you simply remove it, without
leaving a trace. It is equally easy to insert a word, sentence or
paragraph in the middle of a document.

Word
processors usually support these features (and a few others).

• Cut
  and paste: Allows you to remove (cut) a section of tcvt and insert
  (paste) ir somewhere else.

• Find
  and replace: Allows you to direct the word processor to search for
  a particular word or phrase. You can also direct the word processor
  to replace one group of characters with another everywhere that the
  first group appears.

• Word
  wrap: The word processor automatically moves ro rhe next line when
  you have filled one line with text, and it will readjust text if
  you change the margins.

• Print:
  Allows you ro send a document to a printer ro ger hard copy.

• Font
  specifications: Allows you to change fonts within a document. For
  example, you can specify bold, italics,
  and underlining. Most word processors also ler you change rhe font
  size and rhe typeface.

• Graphics:
  Allows you to include illustrations and graphs in a document. Some
  programs let you crcare rhe illustrations within rhe word
  processor; others let you insert a picture from a different
  program.

• Headers,
  footers and page numbering: Allows you to specify customized
  headers and footers that the word processor will put at the top and
  bottom of even- page. The word processor automatically keeps track
  of page numbers so that the correct number appears on each page.

• Layout:
  Allows you to specify different margins within a single document
  and ro specify various methods for indenting paragraphs — how much
  space you leave between the margins and the paragraphs.

• Merge:
  Allows you to merge text from one file into another tile. This is
  particularly useful for generating many tiles that have the same
  format but different dara. (leneraring mailing labels is the
  classic example of using merges.

• Spell
  checker: A utility that allows you ro check the spelling of words.
  Ir will highlight any words that it does not recognize.

• Thesaurus:
  Allows you to search for synonyms wirhour leaving rhe word
  processor.

The
line dividing word processors from desktop publishing systems is
constantly shifting. In general, though, DTP applications support
finer control over layout and more support for full-colour
documents.

VVebopedia
atwww.webcipedia.cnm

Jj

□

Insert
picture Italic
text
Inserted hyperlink

Bold
text Footer Drawing tools

1. Match
   words from the opposite page with these definitions.

1. яprogram used tor preparing documents and letters

2. a
   row of words that open up menus when selected

3. the
   distinctive design of letters arid characters, e.g. Arial, Courier

4. text
   printed in rhe top margin

5. text
   printed in rhe bottom margin

6. the
   way text is arranged on the page, including margins, paragraph
   format, columns, ere.

7. a
   function that enables you to combine two files into one

1. 2.2
   Label these word processing icons with the correct function.

a
cut and paste b graphics e align left d undo e insert hyperlink

s

12 3 4 5

1. Complete
   these statements with a rerm from A opposite.

1. Aconsists
   of three elements: typeface, type style and type size; for exampleArial

bold
at 9 points.

1. Notice
   that when you get to the end of each line, Word starts a new line
   automatically. It moves rhe word you are typing to a new line when
   it enters an invisible margin running down the right-hand side of
   the screen. This feature is called

2. and lets
   you find a word and change it into another word

throughout
rhe text.

1. A
   good program
   can be used not only ro rectify accidental spelling

mistakes
and typing errors, but also to speed typing input.

1. Many
   word processors include a so you can look for words with similar
   meanings.

2. The contains
   a row of icons that perform particular actions when clicked.

3. a
   paragraph involves moving your writing in from the margins of rhe
   page. For

example,
a left indent is the distance between the left margin and the text.

Уou
and computes

Type
the letter or copy it from the

website
to your word processor. Then

edit
it by making these changes.

1. Use
   Times New Roman at 10
   points.

2. Insert
   these phrases in the correct places: a Yours sincerely

b
if you require any further information с
Please find enclosed d Dear Mr Vazquez f We would be pleased to

1. Align
   the sender’s address to the right.

2. Insert
   this email address below the fax number: mereury@tinyworld.co.uk

3. Change
   Cobra М2
   to italic style and Mercury Warranty to bold style.

G
Insert a company logo and a picture of a robot; you can download
them from the Weh.

1. Check
   the spelling.

Mercury
Robots

1. Charles
   Place London SWT О
   6BA

Phone
020 7385 1541 Mr Vazquez Fax 020 7385 1390

Alonso
Cano, 52 Madrid

^;

(1)

Thank
you for your interest in Mercury industrial robots.

1. •••••■ some
   descriptive leaflets with the

technical
details of six robots — Cobra and Hercules models. I would like to
draw your attention to the Cobra М2
which is designed for arc welding.

The
prices shown in our leaflets are net, but we offer discounts by
negotiation. Mercury Warranty provides 2-year
coverage.

1. ) deliver
   one of our robot systems on

approval,
for your inspection.

Please
do not hesitate to contact us (4)

Hook
forward to hearing from you again soon.

Liz
Brown

Sales
Office Manager

Spreadsheets
and databases

Spreadsheet
basics

A
spreadsheet program helps you manage personal and business finances.
Spreadsheets, or worksheets, are mathematical tables which show
figures in rows and columns.

A
cell can hold three types of data: text, numbers and formulae.

Formulae
are enrries that have an equation which calculates the value to
display; wc can use them to calculate totals, percentages, discounts,
etc.

Spreadsheets
have many- built-in functions, pre­written instructions that can
be carried out by referring to the function by name. For example,

‘
— Menu bar

• Currency

‘L
A. column is a vertical line of boxes, labelled with a letter.

*-A
row is a horizontal line of boxes, labelled with a number.

• A
  cell is the intersection of a column and a row. You enter data into
  the active cell

=SUM(D2:D7)
means add up all the values in the cell range D2 ro D7.

Address
of the actwe cell

This
cell contains the tesult of the formula: =SUM(D2:D7)

The
format menu lets you choose font, alignment, borders, etc.

Parts
of a database

Database
basics

A
database is essentially a computerized rccord -keeping system.

Each
unit of information you create is called a record and each record is
made up of a collection of fields. Typically, a single- record
consists of a set of field names like: Title, FirstName,

Surname,
JobTitlc, TelNo and ID. You (ill in a form with the relevant
information for each field to add a new- record to the database.
There are different data types.

• Text
  — holds letters and numbers not used in calculations

  A
  database file stores information in fields grouped on recordi

• Number
  — can only hold numbers used in calculations and reports

• Memo
  — can store long texts

• Date/Time
  — a date or time or combination of both

• AutoNumbcr
  — assigns a number to each record

• OI.E
  Object — (object linking and embedding) holds sounds and pictures

• Yes/No
  — for alternative values like true/false, yes/no, on/off, etc.

• Hyperlink
  — adds a link ro a website

Once
you have added data to a set of records, indexes must be created to
help the database find specific records and sort (classify) records
faster. An index performs the same function as in the back of a book
or in a library. For example, if you regularly search your database
by surname, the index should be defined on this field.

Relational
databases

Two
database files can be related or joined as long as they hold a piece
of data in common. A file of employee names, for example, could
include a field called ‘DEPARTMENT NUMBER’ and another file,
containing details of the department itself, could include the same
field. This common field can then be used to link the two files
together.

Extracting
information from a database is known as performing a query. For
example, if you want to know all customers that spend more than
£9,000 per month, the program will search the name field and the
money field simultaneously.

3.1

Look
ar A opposite and find rhe terms which correspond with these
definitions.

1. software
   which allows data to be displayed and managed in a table format

2. ir
   goes up and down and has lercer labels

3. it
   goes across and has number labels

4. an
   area in a spreadsheet which contains data

5. the
   current cell where you enter information

6. mathematical
   equations that help you calculate and analyze data

7. ready-to-use
   formulae that help vou perform specialized calculations, e.g. SUM,
   AVERAGE,
   etc.

H Students: Table
ID j Name | Surname j	Address	Teacher ГО 1
i;Lucy ! Reeve	3 Pond Road	106
2 Toe Davev	17 Oxburv Close	107 |
3! Adam I Moore	-1 Quebec Street	MS

3.2
Study the tables and then complete the text below with words from Б
opposite.

Relatiorsbp
between tables: the key fie’c has the same value in both tables

Teachers:
Table

Teacher
Ш|
Name | Surname | Address | Subject |

1. James
   Puffin 9 The Gieen , Maths

2. Liz
   White 15 London Road ‘English ._ tQS¹,
   Karen
   ‘ Southwell! S Granary Street’ICT

A
(I) program allows rhe user to store, change and retrieve
information.

A
database file is a collection of records. Each (2) conrains a set of
fields.

Each
(3) holds a separate piece of information; for example, a student
file

contains
a list of records, each of which consists of several fields which
give their name, address, birthday, ctc.

In
a (4) database, information is stored in tables that have a
connection or

link
with one another (sec tables above).

A
database lets you create an (5) a list of records ordered
according ro

the
content of certain fields; this helps you search and (6) records
into

numerical
or alphabetical order very fast. Ir also has a (7) function which

allows
you to extract information that meets certain criteria.

3.3

t-

Fantasy

docun***»^

[fantasy

‘lyrics
inducted?! Website Iwwv/.bk

1. Fantasy

2. Don’t
   cry

3. Frrfay
   night

|4.
Ufe is a journey ‘S. True tove ‘6. Can ycu hes- me? 7. we’re
dreanwj |8- Г»
take care of you

Retea¹se
date Label

123
Oct 2004 |. g

19.
Rock with you

rOub
|

Form
designed with Microsoft Access, a typical d3labase program

Look
ar this form of a music collection. Label the data types with words
from В
opposite.

]
— Catalogue ID Artist

1. — Album
   title

Type
of music

3 number
of copies

1. — .
   Song titles

Уou
and
com.p&’f’s.rs

Which
data fields would you include in these databases?

1. the
   patients of a hospital

2. a
   library catalogue

Graphics
and design

Types
of graphics software

Pencil
Airbrush Line tool

Fill
bucket

Zoom

Paintbrush

Computer
graphics are pictures created, changed or

processed
by computers. There are two categories.

1. Bitmapped
   graphics represent images as bitmaps; they are stored as pixels and
   can become a bit distorted when they are manipulated. The density of
   dots, known as the resolution and expressed in dots per inch,
   determines bow sharp the image is.

   Colour

2. Vector
   graphics represent images as mathematical formulae, so they can be
   changed or scaled without losing quality. They are ideal for
   high-resolution output.

There
are different types of graphics software.

• Linage
  manipulation programs let you edit your

favourite
images. For example, you can scan a picnirc into your PC or transfer
a photo from your camera and then add different effects, or filters.

Windows
Point
Toolbox

• Painting
  and drawing programs, also called illustration packages, offer
  facilities for freehand drawing, with a wide choicc of pens and
  brushes, colours and patterns. One example is ‘Windows
  Paint.

• Business
  graphics programs, also called presentation software, let you create
  pie charts, bar charts and line graphs of all kinds for slide show’s
  and reports. You can import data from a database or spreadsheet to
  generate the graphs.

• Computer-aided
  design (CAD) is used by engineers and architects ro design
  everything from cars and planes to buildings and furniture. First
  they make a wireframe, a drawing with edges and contour lines. Then
  if they want ro colour the objects and add texture, they create a
  surface for rhe object; this is called ‘filling the surface’.
  Finally, the design is rendered to make the object look realistic.
  Rendering is a process that adds realism to graphics by- using
  shading, light sources and reflections.

• Desktop
  publishing (DTP) is based around a page layout program, which lets
  you import text from a word processor, clip-art (ready- made
  pictures) from graphics packages, arid images from scanners or
  cameras, and arrange them all on a page. It is used to design and
  publish books, newspapers, posters, advertisements, etc.

  The
  original
  photo has
  been processed with Adobe Photoshop using effects filters

a
Digital art, or computer art, is done with applets that use
mathematical formulae to create beautiful bright shapes called
fractals. A fractal is a geometrical figure with special properties,
e.g. the Koch snowflake or the Mandelbrot set. Fractals can also be
used to model real objects like clouds, coastlines or landscapes.

3D
wireframe drawing

• Computer
  animation uses graphics programs (e.g. digital cartooning systems)
  to create or edit moving pictures.

F’ach
image in a sequence of images is called a ‘frame^—.

S Geographic
information systems (CIS) allow cartographers to create detailed
maps.

1
4.1 Read A opposite and decide which type of graphics software is
best for these users.

1. a
   person who wants to edit photos at home

2. an
   economist who wants to present statistics in a form that can be
   easily understood

3. engineers
   who need to design the interior and exterior of a new aeroplane

4. a
   company which needs to design and publish a magazine

5. an
   artist who wants ro produce illustrations and freehand drawings for
   a book

G
an organization that needs to make maps and 3D virtual models of rhe
surface of rhe Earth

1. computer
   animators who make movies like Toy
   StoryandShrek

2. a
   mathematician who wants ro make fractal shapes of natural phenomena

1. 4.2
   Complete the sentences with words from rhe box.

wireframe bitmap fractals

rendering filters clip-art

1. Painting
   programs work by giving a colour to each pixel in an

image,
creating a Unlike vector graphics, the image

is
a single layer, so once something is painted, it becomes part of the
whole picture.

1. In
   painting programs and image editors, are special

effects
that can be applied ro a picture, including drop shadows, textures,
distortions, etc. Example
of a

1. The model
   is the simplest interpretation of a true three- ^^racta

dimensional
object. Here rhe object is represented by its edges and contours and
is therefore similar in form to a normal engineering drawing or
sketch.

1. adds
   textures to each surface, and generates realistic reflections,
   shadows

and
highlights.

1. Most
   illustration packages come with a bundle of resources that include
   ready-made images and a selection of fonts.

2. are
   geometrical patterns that are repeated at a small scale ro generate

irregular
shapes, some of which are similar to objects in nature.

1. 4.3
   Look at the Windows
   Painttoolbox opposite and find the tools that match these definitions.

1. This
   is like a magnifying glass which changes your view of a drawing.

2. This
   brush lets you paint in different shapes and patterns.

3. This
   is used to draw curves in different thicknesses.

4. This
   rubs out the part of rhe picture you drag it over.

5. This
   tool lets you pick a colour from an area of an image, instead of
   choosing the colour from the colour palette.

6. This
   tool is used to fill a shape with a colour of your choice.

7. This
   makes straight lines.

8. This
   basic tool is used to draw freehand, i.e. to draw ftee-form shapes.

9. This
   group of tools is used for drawing shapes: rectangles, ellipses and
   polygons.

10. This
    produces individual pixels of colour in a spray pattern.

11. These
    tools let you make rectangular or freehand selections around the
    things you want to select.

12. This
    is used to type text.

You
and
comp^-f^rs

1. Write
   about two possible applications of using computer graphics in
   business.

2. Can
   you think of one advantage of using computer graphics in the car
   industry?

3. You
   probably have a paint program at home; describe what you do with it.

Multimedia

A
multimedia system

Multimedia
refers
to rhe technologies and applications that integrate different media:
text, graphics, sound, video and animation.

Its
power resides in interactivity, hypertext and hypermedia. Multimedia
software is usually interactive, so you can choose what you want to
watch, listen to or write.

Hypertext
means
that you can click on a word and jump to another screen with more
information; hypermedia is similar, bur works with sounds and images
(e.g. the Web).

An
IT stndent says:

‘(
use- multimedia for extracurricular activities. I download music,
from the- Met and burn music, onto СХ>ь
—
I top^ songs onto СC>s.
1 talk with my friends on the Messenger. 1 also re-iouch digital
pictures and edit video dips.

To
run multimedia software you need a fast CPU. expandable PAM and a
large hard disk &ut what marts a computer out as a multimedia ?C
is its audio and video capabilities: a sound card, a microphone, a
decent pair of speakers, a high-quality monitor and a DVD writer; and
its performance depends on all these- components working in harmony.’

Recognizing
file formats

To
identify the type of file, an extension is added to the filename when
it is saved on disk.

Common
text iWl extensions:

.pdf
(portable document format)

•doc
(MS
Word
document)

•rtf
(rich text format)

•htm
or .html (hypertext markup language for Web files)

/
шОк‘
Video refers to recording, editing and displaying moving images.

Common
formats:

.avi
(audio video interleave)

•mov
(QuickTime
movie)

■mpg
(mpeg — moving picture experts group)

v
Graphics include charts, ■bl photos, drawings, j — j buttons,
etc.

.gif
(graphics interchange format)

.jpg
(jpeg — joint photographic experts group)

.tif
(tagged image file)

Animations
are made up of a series of independent pictures put together in
sequence to look like moving pictures. Common formats:

.gif
for animated gifs .swf for Flash
files

You
can hear sound such as songs, movie soundtracks and “* speeches.
Common audio formats:

.wav
[Windows
wave audio format) .ra [RealAudio
file)

.mp3
(compressed music files)

Files
compressed with Winzip
have a .zip extension

A
popular format used to compress and distribute movies or DVDs or
over the Net is DivX, a digital video codec (COmpress, DECompress).

Applications

• In
  public places (e.g. museums and stations), there are information
  kiosks that use multimedia.

■I
In education, it is used 111presentations and computcr-based training courses.

• On
  the Web, audio and video are integrated into web pages.

For
example, RealPlayer supports streaming, which lets you play sound
(e.g. from radio stations) and video tiles as a continuous stream
while they are downloading.

• In
  virtual reality, users interact with a simulated world: doctors
  train using virtual surgery; pilots use flight simulators to do
  their training; people visit virtual exhibitions, etc.

  Multimedia
  has had a profound impact on encyclopedias

• You
  can play games 011a computer or video games on a dedicated machine, callcd a video
  console, which you connect to a TV set. You can also play games on
  rhe Net; some websites have a multiplayer facility that enables
  lots of people to play the same game at the same time.

.1
Look at A and R opposite and find the following.

1. the
   type of text that contains links to other texts

2. rhe
   expression rhar means ‘ro record music onto a CD’

3. a
   system that combines hypertext and multimedia

4. rhe
   most common extensions for graphics files

5. rhe
   mosr common rexr formats

6. three
   popular video formats

7. rhree
   common file formats for storing audio data

.2
Solve the clues and complete the puzzle with words [i I

from
the opposite page. —’—2

1. A
   series
   of still images shownin
   sequence.p

2. files
   arc processed by sound software. ‘—j

3. In
   medicine, doctors use virtual systems ro

simulate
particular situations.

1. The
   suffix placed after a dot at the end of a

Cambridge
International Corpus 5

Professional
English in Use 5

The
right-hand page 6

‘You
and computers’ activities 6

Cartoons 6

How
should I use this book? 6

Don’t
forget! 6

Learning
vocabulary: tips and techniques 8

Guessing
meaning from context 8

Organizing
vocabulary 8

Using
a dictionary 8

Living
with computers 12

Computers:
friend … 12

or
foe? 12

do
on the computer 12

Parts
of a computer 12

Functions
of a PC: input, processing, output, storage 12

From
mainframes to wearable computers 16

The
keyboard 16

The
mouse 16

Voice
input 16

Input
devices: the eyes of your PC 20

Scanners 20

Digital
cameras 20

Output
devices: printers 20

Technical
details 20

Types
of printers 20

Output
devices: display screens 22

CRTs
and LCDs 22

Big
screens: plasma and projection TVs 22

Processing 25

9
Disks and drives 28

Magnetic
storage 28

■ш
Health and safety 31

Computer
ergonomics 31

Electronic
rubbish 31

The
risks of using mobiles and in-car computers 31

Operating
systems and the GUI 34

Types
of software; the operating system (OS) 34

The
Graphical User Interface 34

System
utilities 35

Word
processing features 32

Word
processing 32

Spreadsheets
and databases 34

Spreadsheet
basics 34

Parts
of a database 34

Graphics
and design 36

Types
of graphics software 36

Multimedia 38

A
multimedia system 38

Recognizing
file formats 38

Applications 38

Sound
and music 40

Audio
files on the Web 40

Digital
audio players 40

Other
audio applications 40

Programming 42

Programming
languages 42

Steps
in writing a program 42

Computers
and work 44

Jobs
in computing 44

Computers
and jobs: new ways, new profiles 44

ICT
systems 48

LANs
(Local Area Networks) 50

Network
topology 50

What
an email is 54

Anatomy
of an email 54

Spam 54

Mailing
lists and newsgroups 54

The
World Wide Web 56

What
you can do on the Web AmE: favorites 56

Web
design 58

Basic
elements 58

Video,
animations and sound 58

Chatting
and video conferencing 60

шш
Internet security 62

ШЛА
E-commerce 64

^
‘r-n 63

J
J 63

Online
banking 64

ят
Mobile phones 68

Robots,
androids, Al 68

ED
Intelligent homes 72

Future
trends 72

KJ
Suffixes 78

Compounds 80

■ста
Collocations 82

«и
Defining and classifying 84

ЕШ
Qualifying and comparing 87

реи
Describing technical processes 90

Troubleshooting 90

Answer
key 92

1. People
   use special programs to and I—L

decompress
files so that they occupy less disk IИ
I I II

space.

1. A
   video format developed by the Moving Picture Experts Group.

2. A
   system of filming, processing and showing moving pictures.

3. .gif
   stands for interchange format.

4. The
   technique which allows you to play music and watch video before rhe
   entire file has downloaded.

Down:
The combination of moving and still images, sound, music and words.

.3
Complete the article with the words from the box.

graphics interactive
video games consoles multiplayer